Recipe of the Week: Creamy Potato Cheese Soup

I tried this recipe with friends a few weeks back and it turned out to be a wonderful treat. I’ve never made something quite like this, but was able to pitch in with some stirring and seasoning as the master chef stewed his creamy concoction.

Cut five or six Idaho potatoes into cubes and soak them in cold, salted water.

Fry the onion and garlic in virgin olive oil until translucent in a large pot on the stove. Then dump the stock in and bring it to a boil. When the stock boils, dump the cubed potatoes in and they will slowly disappear into the mixture. Add bacon, chopped celery and carrots, and some grated cheese.

Dump a little beer in to give it some extra flavor with the broth.

Then add the red potatoes, bacon, cream, cheese and spices until you’re happy with the flavor and consistency. Let the pot simmer until it’s hot and soft.

Preparation

Cook beef, bell pepper, and next 2 ingredients in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until meat crumbles and is no longer pink. Drain well, and return to Dutch oven.

Stir in tomatoes and next 5 ingredients; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes. Stir in corn, and cook, uncovered, 15 minutes or until squash is tender and chili is thickened.

Directions

In a small bowl combine the cumin, chili powder, pumpkin pie spice, oregano, 2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of black pepper.

In a large pot over medium heat add the olive oil, beef cubes and half of the seasoning. Cook until the beef is browned on all sides, but not cooked through; remove with a slotted spoon to a plate. Add the onions, bell pepper, garlic, tomato paste and hot sauce. Stir and cook until everything turns a dark reddish brown, about 10 minutes. Add the ground beef and sprinkle over the remaining seasoning. Stir and cook until beef is browned then add the reserved beef chunks back to the pot along with the cornmeal, wine, stock, and the squash. Raise the heat until it comes to a boil, then lower to a simmer, cover and cook until the beef is tender, about 40 to 45 minutes. Uncover and let the chili cook another 15 minutes, until it is thick and the liquid is reduced.

Preparation

Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic; sauté until tender and golden, about 9 minutes. Add squash; stir 2 minutes. Stir in chili powder and cumin. Stir in beans, broth, and tomatoes with juices; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until squash is tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in chard; simmer until chard is tender but still bright green, about 4 minutes longer. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle chili into bowls and serve.